Project M71 People




Well, I'm John Clark
and this is my project!


Click on the buttons above to meet the members of the Project M71 "Project Team" and "Planning Committee" who've contributed to making things happen 

Hope you like my caricature here - this was done as part of an Xmas card at my work, a major Internet hardware manufacturer - but I'm drawn next to a Lotus Engine, not a router.... seems it's obvious to one and all where my heart lies! 




So here's my Giugiaro Turbo Esprit - the lucky recipient of all this attention - I still think she's nice for a "donor" car!





British GP 1978





It was my dream to own an original Giugiaro Lotus Turbo Esprit, in JPS black and gold colours, since my first visit to a Grand Prix, which was the John Player British Grand Prix of 1978 at Brands Hatch






This was the time when Colin Chapman brought the innovation of ground effect aerodynamics into F1 with the Lotus 79

It made a huge impression on me, to see Mario Andretti and the late great Ronnie Peterson out-pace the opposition, including Lauder and Hunt, who floundered with squealing tyres whilst the 'train-like' pairing of the Team Lotus 79 cars effortlessly pulled away











So it wasn't the James Bond Esprit's that influenced me to want an Esprit (as almost everyone else seems to say!) - Of course that was also a great memory - more in 007 History

I realised my dream to own a Lotus Turbo Esprit in 1992... it seemed wonderful and almost surreal to see my name on the owners documentation and the lines of the striking Giugiaro design adorning my driveway!




























A 1984 Turbo Esprit in JPS Black & Gold colours - Glorious!!


and all for the princely price of £6,800


























Click the image on th right for some of my photos of Lotus cars taken at events/venues such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Donnington Museum








Click here for more on the Giugiaro Turbo Esprit design and specifications
Click here for production of the  Giugiaro Turbo Esprit at the Lotus factory